Book Review Round-Up

Obviously, I’ve been more than a little M.I.A. lately. Who knew starting a new life would be so distracting?!

I’m quite behind on posting book reviews for you guys. Since I read these ones before the madness of moving even began, let’s just say the details aren’t the freshest in my memory. Because of this, I decided to combine my picks into one post. This works really well considering all three of my recent favorites belong to completely different genres, so there’s something for you no matter your mood.

Side note: I’ve been asked in the past if I include books that I don’t like. The answer is, generally, no. Books resonate completely differently with each reader, so I don’t think it’s fair of me to sway anyone away from certain ones. Rather than give a ‘meh’ review, I usually just keep them to myself.

While this is a work of fiction, it is based on a real phenomenon in American history. During the Depression-era, underprivileged children were sent across the U.S. on trains, stopping in different locations and essentially auctioned off to prospective adoptive families. These families generally weren’t looking for a new child to love, but, rather, a cheap extra hand on their farm or in their home. The novel juxtaposes a contemporary story with one from the ‘orphan train’ period.

If you’re looking for something sci-fi, read: Station Elevenby Emily St. John Mandel

At first, I didn’t think I was going to like this one. It felt a bit all over the place in the beginning, not to mention pretty odd. Although I’m a diehard Harry Potter fanatic, most science-fiction type books don’t really pique my interest. I’m really glad I kept going with Station Eleven, though. It’s a futuristic, dystopian novel, and, honestly, is starting to seem less and less far-fetched as I watch real-life news. It’s the perfect read when you’re looking for something a little different and thought-provoking.

This one is sort-of a ‘self-help’ book. But before you roll your eyes, bear with me. Instead of telling you how to find the man of your dreams or lose that lingering college weight, Big Magic is all about creativity. It’s a great read for anyone either pursuing a creative profession (hey!) or someone that has a passion that they aren’t quite sure how to tap into yet. Although it does tend to get a little bit repetitive, there are some great quotes in here that will help you gain confidence in your creative pursuits.